US5762630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally softening stylet
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
•
Filing: 1996-12-23
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2016-12-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention describes a stylet that softens dramatically upon insertion into a living body with a temperature of about 37° C. The stylet has a distal end and a proximal end. Upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end softens from a stiffness of about 78 Durometer Shore D units to 25 Durometer Shore D units in a preferred embodiment. Moreover, the proximal end of the stylet, which is not inserted into the living body, retains its stiffness to aid a physician or a nurse in inserting and placing the catheter and stylet assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Bley
- 👤 Glenn Kubacki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L29/00; A61L29/14; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/0063; A61M2025/0064; A61M25/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A catheter stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: an elongated member having a substantially uniform cross-section and a cross-sectional area, wherein upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body and substantially maintains the cross-sectional area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A catheter stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: an elongated member having a substantially uniform cross-section and a cross-sectional area, wherein upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body and substantially maintains the cross-sectional area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The stylet of claim 1, wherein upon insertion of the distal end into the living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least 50 Durometer Shore D units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stylet of claim 1, wherein the distal end softens in a few seconds after being inserted into the living body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stylet of claim 1, wherein the elongated member has a glass transition temperature of approximately 35° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The stylet of claim 1, wherein a component has been added to the elongated member to modify the stiffness throughout the elongated member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stylet of claim 1, wherein a component has been added to the elongated member to modify the stiffness at least at one point in the elongated member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A vascular access device, comprising: a catheter having a lumen; and a stylet having a cross-sectional area and a physical property such that the stylet is capable of softening by at least a factor of three and substantially maintaining the cross-sectional area when exposed to a predetermined temperature, wherein the stylet is disposed within the lumen of the catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A vascular access device, comprising: a catheter having a lumen; and a stylet having a cross-sectional area and a physical property such that the stylet is capable of softening by at least a factor of three and substantially maintaining the cross-sectional area when exposed to a predetermined temperature, wherein the stylet is disposed within the lumen of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vascular access device of claim 7, wherein the catheter also softens when exposed to the predetermined temperature by at least 50 Durometer Shore D units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vascular access device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined temperature is about 35° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vascular access device of claim 7, wherein the stylet comprises a distal end and a proximal end and wherein upon insertion of the distal end into a living subject, the distal end softens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vascular access device of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the stylet softens in a few seconds when inserted into the living subject.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vascular access device of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the stylet softens so that its stiffness decreases at least 50 Durometer Shore D units.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vascular access device of claim 8, wherein the stylet has a distal end and a proximal end, and wherein upon insertion of the distal end into a living body and exposure to the predetermined temperature of approximately 35° C., the distal end of the stylet softens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vascular access device of claim 7, wherein a radiopacifier has been added to the stylet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vascular access device of claim 14, wherein the radiopacifier is selected from a group consisting of barium sulfate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth trioxide, tungsten and tantalum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A stent stylet comprising: an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially uniform cross-section, the distal end of the stylet having a physical property such that upon insertion into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A stent stylet comprising: an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially uniform cross-section, the distal end of the stylet having a physical property such that upon insertion into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The stent stylet of claim 16, wherein upon insertion of the distal end into the living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least 50 Durometer Shore D units.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |